Improvement in fruit-cans



E' STATES QFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN FRUIT-SANS.

Specilication forming part of Letters Patent No. 124,171, dated February 27, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. SPENCER, of Cleveland, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cans for Fruit, Paint, Sac., of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to certain improvements in cans for containing fruit, paint, oysters, 85o., in which the top or cap is soldered or sealed upon the can and to this end my invention consists of a can, the top of which is struck up or spun with a gutter or depression, into which iits a cap formed with a corresponding gutter or depression, which is perforated with a series of openings, the object of the perforations and gutters being to securely and effectually solder the cap to the can, and at the same time allow the cap to be easily re moved, when it is desired to gain access to the interior of the can, by placing a knife or other implement under the external rim of the cap, and forcing it up, which, owing to the portions ofthe cap between the perforations giving away, can be easily done.

Figure lis a vertical elevation of the iinproved can, part of the side and top broken away. Fig. 2 is a section of the top of the can broken from the body, and cover in position. Fig. 3 is a top view of the can and top, part ofthe latter being broken away.

Arepresents the body of the can, which can be made of any suitable material, and B the the top, which is struck up or spun to form a depression, a., and a raised, portion, d, which is also formed with a gutter or depression, b. C is the top or cover, which is formed with a gutter or depression, c, similar in form to the one b in the top of the can, and which, when the cap is placed in position, the depression c.

will fit snugly in the depression b. This cap is also formed with a depending iiange, e, which extends down over the raised portion el of the can. The gutter or depression 0 of the cap C is formed or provided with a series of perforations, fff, which are for the purpose of allowing the cap to be soldered or sealed to the can, which is done by pouring the soldering material in the gutter c, after the cap has been placed in its proper position and the parts hermetically sealed. When it is desired to gain access to the interior of the can, a knife or other instrument is piaceri under the depending tlan ge e, and the outer edge of the can used as a fulcrum and the cap forced up, which can easily and readily be done, owing to the portionsof the cap between the perforations breaking, and hence allowing the cap to be easily removed.

The can is shown as made in the form of a cylinder, and with a circular opening to receive the circular cap; but to such form the invention is not limited, as square, rectangular, and other shapes may be employed, it only being necessary to change the form of the gutters or depressions.

The cap and top portion of the can are easily an d cheaply produced, being struck up, or spun, or otherwise produced from sheets of metal. The sharp angles formed bythe gutters or depressions in the cover correspond with the same in the top of the can, and form a tight joint when the two are brought together, and can readily be sealed or soldered by any one, with or without the aid of tinners tools. i

I am aware that lids have before been united to the body of boxes by means of a lap joint, the end of the said lid extending beyond the soldered portion of the joint; such, broadly, I do not claim, but- Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, y

1. The cap C, formed with the gutter c and with a series of perforations, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A can for fruit, paint, Sto., having the cap C secured upon its top B by means ot'sealingmaterial passing down through perforations formed in the said cap, as set forth.

3. The cover B of a can, A, formed with the depression b and raised portion d, in combination with the cap C, formed with the gutter c and perforations f, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

4. The depending flan gc e of the gnttered and perforated cap C, arranged in respect to the cover B of a can, A, for operation, substantially as described.

To the above I have signed my naine this 15th day of January, A. D. 1872.

CHAS. F. SPENCER.

Witnesses:

GHAs. M. VoRcE, GEO. D. HiNsnALE. 

